Senior Scientist, Oligo Chemistry

Danaher; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT), a Danaher operating company, is seeking a Senior Scientist, Oligo Chemistry in Sunnyvale, CA, on‑site. The role contributes to development and optimization of oligonucleotide synthesis with phosphoramidite chemistry, enabling high‑quality products and platform improvements.

You will design and optimize workflows, improve yield and purity using LC‑MS, and help evaluate new reagents and processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, or a related discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5+ years hands-on lab experience in oligonucleotide synthesis or related chemistry.
• Strong expertise in phosphoramidite chemistry and solid‑phase oligo synthesis with safe lab practices.
• Experience using LC‑MS (high‑resolution preferred) to characterize oligos and diagnose issues.
• Proven experience optimizing synthesis or downstream process steps (cleavage, deprotection, purification).

Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and optimize oligonucleotide synthesis workflows focusing on phosphoramidite chemistry.
• Improve synthesis efficiency, yield, and product quality via organic chemistry principles.
• Develop post‑synthesis steps (cleavage, deprotection, purification) with LC‑MS for quality assessment.
• Contribute to evaluation and implementation of new reagents and process improvements.
• Adhere to safety and quality standards; other duties as assigned.

Skills

Phosphoramidite chemistry

Oligonucleotide synthesis

LC-MS (high‑resolution)

Organic chemistry

Synthesis optimization

Lab safety practices

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, or related

MS or PhD preferred

Tools

LC-MS (high‑resolution)

HPLC

Solid‑phase synthesis

Job description

Bring more to life.

Are you ready to accelerate your potential and make a real difference within life sciences, diagnostics and biotechnology?

At Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT), one of Danaher’s (https://danaher.com/our-businesses) 15+ operating companies, our work saves lives—and we’re all united by a shared commitment to innovate for tangible impact.

You’ll thrive in a culture of belonging where you and your unique viewpoint matter. And by harnessing Danaher’s system of continuous improvement, you help turn ideas into impact – innovating at the speed of life.

Our team at Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT), is united by a commitment to collaboration and scientific excellence, building on a strong foundation of innovation, expertise, and reliability. Guided by our vision to help researchers rapidly move from the lab to life-changing advances, we work closely with global partners to accelerate progress and genomics breakthroughs across fields like cancer, infectious disease, rare genetic disorders, and more. At IDT, you’ll be part of a culture rooted in continuous learning and improvement—where your growth fuels our mission to accelerate the pace of genomics and helps shape a healthier, brighter future for all.

Learn about the Danaher Business System (https://www.danaher.com/how-we-work/danaher-business-system) which makes everything possible.

The Senior Scientist, Oligo Chemistry is responsible for contributing hands‑on scientific expertise to the development, optimization, and characterization of oligonucleotide synthesis processes. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in organic chemistry—particularly phosphoramidite chemistry—and strong analytical skills, including high‑resolution LC‑MS, to support high‑quality oligo production and continuous process improvement. The position plays a critical role in advancing core technology platforms, enabling new products and services, and driving scientific and commercial impact across the organization.

This position reports to the Director of Emerging Technologies and is part of the Emerging Technologies Team located in Sunnyvale, CA and will be an on‑site role.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Design, execute, and optimize oligonucleotide synthesis workflows with a strong focus on phosphoramidite chemistry and solid‑phase synthesis
• Apply organic chemistry principles to improve synthesis efficiency, yield, and product quality
• Develop and optimize post‑synthesis process steps, including cleavage, deprotection, and purification (e.g., cartridge, HPLC, or other relevant methods), utilizing high‑resolution mass spectrometry (LC‑MS) and complementary analytical techniques to assess oligo identity, purity, and failure modes
• Contribute to evaluation and implementation of new reagents, chemistries, or process improvements for oligo synthesis platforms
• Other duties as assigned.

The essential requirements of the job include:

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, or a related discipline; advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) preferred.
• Minimum of 5+ years of hands‑on laboratory experience in oligonucleotide synthesis or closely related chemistry
• Strong practical expertise in phosphoramidite chemistry and solid‑phase oligo synthesis along with a track record of safe laboratory practices
• Demonstrated experience using LC‑MS (high‑resolution preferred) to characterize oligos and diagnose synthesis or process issues
• Proven experience optimizing synthesis or downstream process steps, including cleavage, deprotection, and purification

Travel & Physical/Environment Requirements:

• Ability to travel 10% time domestic and international
• Ability to occasionally lift, move or carry equipment up to 10lb
• Ability to frequently work in a laboratory environment for extended periods

It would be a plus if you also possess previous experience in:

• Background in high‑throughput biology, automation, and NGS‑based analysis.
• Working with prototype instrumentation and collaborating with engineers.
• Environmental health and safety coordination work.

IDT, a Danaher operating company, offers a broad array of comprehensive, competitive benefit programs that add value to our lives. Whether it’s a health care program or paid time off, our programs contribute to life beyond the job. Check out our benefits at Danaher Benefits Info (https://leplb1040.upoint.alight.com/ah-angular-afirst-web/#/web/danaher/cp/preauth-home) .

The annual salary range OR the hourly range for this role is $135,000-$160,000. This is the range that we in good faith believe is the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. This range may be modified in the future.

This job is also eligible for bonus/incentive pay.

We offer comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.

Join our winning team today. Together, we’ll accelerate the real‑life impact of tomorrow’s science and technology. We partner with customers across the globe to help them solve their most complex challenges, architecting solutions that bring the power of science to life.

For more information, visit www.danaher.com.

Danaher Corporation and all Danaher Companies are committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other characteristics protected by law.

The U.S. EEO posters are available here (http://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf) .

For candidates who are based outside of New York City or who are applying for roles outside of New York City, for more information about conditions of any job offer please click here (https://jobs.danaher.com/global/en/notice-to-us-candidates-based-in/applying-for-roles-outside-nyc) .

We comply with federal and state disability laws and make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact:1-202-419-7762 or [e-mail].